Montana Career Opportunity – Business Development Specialist – Lake County Community Development Corporation

LAKE COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position: Business Development Specialist
Classification: Full-Time, Exempt
Reports to: Business Development Center Director

Position Summary: The Business Development Specialist works with existing and potential clients to develop loan applications; provide credit and financial analysis; works with Business Development Team and Finance Committee to determine structure and interest rates; prepares client summary for Portfolio Manager’s Loan Review. This position works extensively with LCCDC clients before and after loans are made; directing clients to additional resources within the organization and/or community; and following up with clients to track their progress and growth. The position will assist in developing and managing additional sources of capital for the organization specific to increasing the amount of funds available for lending activities; and will assume reporting responsibilities to participating agencies as assigned.

Job Duties:

Assist all client-based program managers, such as those responsible for Rural Cooperative Development, Procurement Technical Assistance, Disadvantaged Businesses and microenterprise development to assess client needs for capital.

Serve as a member of the organization’s Business Development team, including representing LCCDC in joint Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) assessment process and client interviews to address local needs.

Assist with public relations and outreach to prospective clients; participating in business development efforts throughout the organization; representing the organization at events, meetings, workshops, etc; helping develop regional lending programs and projects through the organizations responsibilities as a Certified Regional Development Corporation; and working closely with other members of the staff in developing grants and projects that contribute to the Organization’s long-term sustainability.

Meets with business representatives and community officials to determine overall growth and development needs and goals; and to develop and support activities, programs and plans.
Provides information on state, federal, and private economic and community development or workforce development programs.
Evaluates, identifies, and promotes model community and business economic development or workforce development projects.

Identifies, attracts, and assists investors and businesses to locate in Lake, Mineral and Sanders counties, including the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana.
Assists in the development and writing of grant applications; budgeting process, and gathering generating information relative to the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).

Meets with private sector, banking, and investment communities to explain, promote and facilitate the use of LCCDC’s development finance resources.
Maintains records, and prepares special studies, reports and correspondence related to the work.

Performs related work as assigned.

Qualifications, Experience and Training:
College degree in finance, accounting, or business administration or equivalent experience.

Preference of direct commercial lending experience, either in a banking or similar non-profit environment.

Very strong understanding of financial evaluation tools including ratios, cash flows, break-even points, etc.

Knowledge of fiscal planning, budgeting and management.

Knowledge of methods of planning, developing and administering programs.

Knowledge of state laws and legislative processes related to economic development.

Ability to plan, coordinate and expedite work projects.

Very strong Word and Excel skills.

Skills in preparing and presenting accurate written and oral summaries of prepared financial analyses.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, clients, lenders, investors, other agencies, and the general public.

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Commitment to LCCDC mission of creating opportunity for all members of our community.

Employee must be very detail oriented and highly organized. Position requires an understanding of and/or experience in commercial lending; analysis of financial statements; performing credit analyses; and risk management. A background in similar organizations that provides support for micro-businesses and developing entrepreneurs and understanding of the the basic elements of community and economic development are highly desired. Good verbal and written communication skills are a must as job requires interaction with boards of directors, public officials, community and business leaders, professional staff and peer networks. Must also have the ability to structure projects and write and/or help assemble business plans and grant applications. To perform this job effectively, the individual should be very comfortable using computers and have a high skill level of understanding of accounting, database, word processing, contract management and/or spreadsheet programs and/or an ability to learn and adapt to new programs.

Physical demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Normal office hours are Monday through Friday between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM. Occasional evening or weekend work is required.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to travel by car and, upon occasion, by plane. The employee is regularly required to climb stairs, assist in setting up/taking down conference rooms, computers, screens, projectors, etc and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.

Benefits Summary:

Following a 60 day full-time probation: Health insurance is available.

Option of adding Dental and additional life insurance.

Following a six-month probationary period: 3% pension match on a Simple IRA

10 Holidays and accumulation of 80 hours annually of PTO

Effective Date: December 15, 2014